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Some decisions feel like a pivot; this one felt like a reckoning. We open up about stepping away from teaching in Arizona and the mix of policy, practicality, and personal wellbeing that led us here. Arizona’s school choice model promises options, but the way public funds flow out of neighborhood schools has real consequences for teachers and students who rely on consistent support. We walk through how dwindling resources, chronic instability, and a tough licensure calculus made the classroom a hard place to build a sustainable future right now.

You’ll hear why we’re pressing pause on Arizona certification, how we think about teacher burnout beyond buzzwords, and what a healthier system could look like. We also share an honest checkpoint on higher education plans—why early friction with a college can signal deeper misalignment, and how we’re reevaluating programs to find a better fit. On the personal front, a pending orthopedic update shapes the near-term timeline, because being a great educator requires energy, presence, and a plan that respects health realities.

To keep some light in the mix, we tease an upcoming conversation with a Disney superfan who just returned from a dream trip—proof that wonder and play still matter even as we navigate hard choices. If you care about public education, teacher wellbeing, and the real trade-offs behind policy headlines, this story offers a candid look at why a passionate educator might choose another path for now. Listen, share with a friend who’s wrestling with similar choices, and subscribe to stay with us for the health update and the Disney interview. Your thoughts and reviews help shape what we explore next—what would you do in our shoes?

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